Sniper, drone attacks on White House and pro-Israel lawmakers foiled

Five suspects were reportedly arrested after the FBI foiled a plot to attack the White House during Trump’s birthday party and to harm lawmakers linked to the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC.

By World Israel News Staff

The FBI disrupted alleged planned attacks targeting a UFC event held on the White House South Lawn over the weekend, along with politicians aligned with a pro-Israel lobby group, with five suspects arrested in a multistate operation, officials and US media reports said Tuesday.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau learned of the possible threat on June 10, four days before the UFC Freedom 250 event, which was staged at the White House as part of celebrations surrounding President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and the approaching 250th anniversary of American independence.

“Thanks to the rapid action of the FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” Patel wrote on X.

Secret Service Director Sean Curran said in a separate statement that his agency “worked around the clock to identify those responsible and hold them accountable.”

A law enforcement official familiar with the matter told AP that five people were arrested from states including Ohio, Missouri and California. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss information that had not yet been made public.

The nature of the alleged threat was initially not disclosed by federal officials, with additional details expected after charges were unsealed.

Media reports said the plot involved explosive drones and snipers.

The alleged plan called for drones packed with explosives to strike buildings near the event, sparking panic and driving spectators toward a sniper team. A second group of attackers was then allegedly supposed to move toward the White House gates.

The New York Post reported that the FBI uncovered the plot on June 10, after which agents carried out a raid in Cincinnati and made an initial arrest. The report said other suspects traveled to Fredericksburg, Virginia, on June 12 or June 13 to prepare for the attack.

Investigators also reportedly found at least 23 users on one suspect’s iPhone who had participated in Signal discussions about the planned attack.

One suspect reportedly told investigators that the attack was intended to target “capitalist elites,” “billionaires” and politicians who had received money from AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying group.

Patel told Fox News that the operation prevented a serious threat.

The UFC Freedom 250 event drew about 4,300 people, including 1,200 active-duty service members. It featured a UFC arena built on the South Lawn and was promoted by Trump as part of a broader slate of events marking the country’s semiquincentennial.

The event, held Sunday, was one of the most unusual uses of the White House grounds in modern presidential history, combining professional mixed martial arts, military pageantry and political ceremony. Trump, a longtime UFC fan and ally of UFC CEO Dana White, attended the fights as part of his birthday celebrations.

Federal authorities have not yet publicly identified the suspects or detailed the charges. Officials said more information was expected after court documents were released.